Long-term results of the Er-Yag laser used in stapes surgery

Abstract

Stapes surgery is performed using both conventional techniques and a variety of laser systems. The Er-Yag laser is a type of pulsation laser deemed by many to be the safest for ear surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of using the Er-Yag laser in stapes surgery and its impact on inner ear function. The study was conducted on 95 ears (48 right and 47 left) that had undergone Er-Yag laser-assisted stapedotomy. The follow-up time was at least 3 years. Pure tone audiometry was performed on all patients. The frequency ranged from 125 to 8,000 Hz. Air conduction and bone conduction were both assessed. Moreover, all patients had their stapedius reflex assessed and were given a Rinne test. The results were evaluated according to the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines and then statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon sequence pair test with a p value of <0.05. A decrease in the hearing threshold of 0.5, 1, and 3 kHz, for both bone and air conduction was observed for all patients (p < 0.0001). The Wilcoxon sequence pair test revealed a statistically significant correlation between the pre- and postoperative treatment mean air-bone gap values (p < 0.0001). No facial nerve paralysis was observed. No Er-Yag laser side effects were observed on inner ear function. The patients also had lower hearing thresholds. These observations demonstrate the usefulness of Er-Yag lasers in stapes surgery.